If you play soccer, sooner or later someone's going to kick you in the shins - and it's going to hurt. The only thing more painful is scoring on your own goal or getting kicked in the balls. One in 10 serious soccer injuries involve shins - so save yourself some pain and buy a pair of shin guards. All the pros wear shin guards and it's mandatory in most youth soccer leagues as well.

Soccer Shin Guards - Protect Yourself

Shin guards are made out of several different materials including rubber, plastic, fiberglass and even Kevlar (the stuff used to make bulletproof vests). You'll find most youth guards are made out of fiberglass, so they're a little bit lighter and less expensive. Once you get a little older (14-16 years old), you should consider some more expensive guards that can provide greater protection against harder blows.

Soccer Shin Guards - Always Wear Them

If you play forward or goalkeeper, you're more likely to get hit by the ball or get kicked from the side or behind. Make sure you buy a wider pair of shin guards that protect the sides of your calf, as well. Shin guards should fit just above the bend in the ankle to about two inches below the knee. Once you've picked up a pair of guards, wear them every time you play, whether it's in a game or in practice. You never know when someone's gonna make contact with your shin.

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